As reported in Entertainment Weekly, the movie I wrote, According to Greta (previously known as simply Greta), is getting a small theatrical release on December 11th. So far, it looks like an exclusive engagement at the Laemmle’s Monica 4-Plex in Santa Monica, CA. But then the DVD drops in the US on January 19, 2010.

Hi again Michael,
Thanks for the quck reply. One last question-
Any plans for the film to appear in the Garden State Film Festival in AP in March, 2010?
I am looking forward to seeing the film.
Regards,
Al

HI Michael,
I just watched your movie ‘According to Greta’, and I (of course) watched all the special features. Not only did i love your movie (because really, directors do good jobs and everything-but if there wasn’t an amazing story then there would be nothing for them to do), so yes, according to greta really is your movie.
I was amazed when I heard you say that you wrote According to Greta in 1992 and it only just got filmed. Wow, that both inspired me and made me feel happy that you stuck with it for so long!
I was also really happy to hear that you wrote about ‘Ocean Grove’ a place that you lived in. Most people try to make their work interesting by writing it in New York, when they don’t know about it/live there. You chose something close to home! That is so cool!
I’m a high school student that has written a screenplay and in the process of finishing two novels. I just thought I’d let you know how much i loved your movie, and that you inspired me to continue to write what i know and to never give up.

I must say I understand why it took so long for this movie to be released and definitely why it went straight to DVD.
What a dull, uninteresting story this was. The character development, or lack thereof, was comical.
This piece of trash will go right to the dollar dvd bin at Walmart.

Daddy issues, senior citizen medical happenstance, and relationship woes fill in the third act of “According to Greta,” putting further unnecessary weight on the production. I wanted to embrace the film as an opportunity for Duff to continue distancing herself away from her Disney roots, but the writing is terrible, the direction blind, and the supporting cast either tuned out or overwhelmed from the get-go. “According to Greta” misfires when it should’ve soared, and while Hilary Duff gives the role a forceful middle-finger twinkle, it’s wasted on unsophisticated ABC Family leftovers.

I haven’t seen the movie yet (I plan to) and neither have Tommy or Kathy. Gilvary seems to be too kind to say it, but I’m not. Tommy and Kathy both came to this website with an agenda. They weren’t content to just say the film didn’t work for them (of course, they havent’ seen it) they wanted to try and rub it in the writer’s face.

Whether or not the movie is good has very little to do with the original script anyway. Many a great script has been destroyed by the production process.

Thanks for the kind words, Matt. I don’t mind taking Tommy and Kathy at their word. Everyone’s entitled to their opinion. And, though I certainly wish they had liked the film more, I never would have gotten anywhere in this business if I let every bit of criticism get me down. No film is universally loved, and Greta certainly isn’t flawless. But a few people have been moved by it, and that’s good enough for me.

I just watched your film and loved it! I am convinced that we must have met while you were living in OG because this movie was pretty much my story. My father lives there, on the block you were filming on. In fact I believe you may have considered his house for the film.

A city girl, having been born and raised in Manhattan, my parents dragged me down there every summer during the weekends. When I was 15 through 17 they refused to leave me at home in our apartment because I was not the best kid and probably would have thrown some serious keggers so I was forced to travel with them to Ocean Grave (which is exactly what I called it as well) every weekend. I had no friends despite the fact that my parents had been bringing me down there every weekend during the summer and occasionally during the winter since I was a child. I always looked completely out of place, usually dressed in black from head to toe. I spent much of my time in run down Asbury Park, going to the skate park and breaking into the boarded up buildings and being chased by the police for fun. I loved Gretta’s dark humor and sharp tongue, I was dark and thought I knew everything as well. Your story of OG and AP are very true and I absolutely loved the movie.

Its been a long time since my days of rebellion in OG as I am now a 9-5 working girl in Manhattan (whomever would have thought) but it was so nice to relive those days through your film and reflect on the things that Greta and I had in common. In fact Hillary and I even look alike and a lot of those places that you filmed in Asbury Park were my stomping grounds. Thanks again and keep up the great work!

Brilliant! I doubt we did cross paths, as I lived there a long time ago, but I love that you are the living incarnation of Greta. I tried very hard to create a character that was true to a certain kind of kid living a certain kind of experience, so it means a lot to me that the movie worked for you. Thanks for writing in.

Hmmm. Good question. I wish I could remember. It was probably just a name I heard somewhere and liked, because it sounded both old fashioned and kind of cool. Thanks for commenting. I’m glad you liked the movie.

I love this movie…I can watch it w/my daughter cause its not too mature…we love it! We rented it yesterday and have already watched it 4 times! I can relate to Greta,,,because sometimes lifes difficulties make u feel like she felt…I love the chemistry between Greta & Julie…once again we love this movie!

Michael…I accidently watched Greta last night. I heard Ocean Grove mentioned in the movie my 17 yr. old was viewing. I was born in Ocean Grove in 1952. The memories made me break out some photos of the rock festival I produced on the beach next to the pier in 1970. In the 90′s I wrote a story about Asbury & Ocean Grove and managed to get Jersey Films to bite. Knowing and having Bruce give me a nickname helped me get my foot in some doors. The bottom line was I needed an agent & screenwriter which never materialized due to lack of knowledge. It didn’t help that I pissed off Danny DeVito. Your film has renewed my interest in giving it another shot. Hillary Duff was excellent because you just wanted to shake some sense into her character. I’m very impressed that you wrote this script in the early 90′s and put up such a good fight. Best of luck and thanks for the kick in the pants…..